Chapter 270 - 269: Gradually
If Xia Anxin were to boldly deal with Cailian today, it might seem straightforward and satisfying, but her reputation would be damaged as well.
The relationship between Xia Anxin and Du Yunlang would also suffer.
Xia Anxin wouldn’t blame Du Yunlang. Firstly, the incident didn’t occur, and secondly, Du Yunlang was completely unaware of it due to his drunkenness. However, if he learned of Cailian’s wicked intentions, there might be some estrangement and discomfort between them.
The beginning of a growing distance between a couple often starts with such "discomfort."
Xia Anxin would rather Du Yunlang never know.
Therefore, Xia Anxin wouldn’t deal with Cailian for this reason at this moment. She wouldn’t "kill" Cailian with weapons; instead, she would "force her to death" in the near future.
Xia Anxin looked up at Du Yunluo and smiled, "What you told me last time was absolutely right. If you keep her around too long, she’ll become an enemy. It’s better to send her out of the mansion sooner rather than later."
Du Yunluo nodded, and Nanny Guan beside her also agreed wholeheartedly.
Getting married, whether well or poorly, was entirely up to the mistress. Judging by Xia Anxin’s current attitude, it seemed she would marry Cailian off in a way that wouldn’t allow any faults to be picked, resolving the matter effortlessly while earning a good reputation. As for what happens afterward, it would be like "forcing her to death."
In any case, the fact that Cailian harbored such thoughts meant even if she was beaten to death on the spot, it would be considered ordinary. Now, dealing with it "slowly and deliberately," one could consider it accumulating virtue for the unborn child.
Xia Anxin was so thorough and meticulous that even the Miao Family would likely be very satisfied.
Nanny Guan smiled slightly. Working beside such a wise mistress saved both effort and worry. As long as she served Xia Anxin well, being able to stay in the Chunhua Courtyard would be the best outcome.
Du Yunluo asked Jin Rui to help Nanny Guan escort Xia Anxin back, while she herself leisurely returned to the Lianfu Garden.
Old Mrs. Xia’s card game in her room was still ongoing.
Nanny Xu took Xia Anxin’s place, reluctantly handing chips to Old Mrs. Xia, "The madam’s luck is truly enviable. I’m going to lose all the second madam’s possessions."
Old Mrs. Xia laughed heartily.
Du Yunluo sat down beside Du Yunnuo.
Jiang Si Niang inquired about Xia Anxin, "Why hasn’t Second Sister-in-Law come back?"
Du Yunluo smiled and replied, "Second Brother got drunk, and Second Sister-in-Law went back with him."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Si Niang frowned, "Second Uncle got drunk? Then our lord is probably drunk too. I should go and check on him. Fifth Aunt, cover for me, if you win, it’s yours; if you lose, it’s on me."
Du Yunluo glanced at her and chuckled, "Are you afraid I can’t afford to lose the silver?"
Jiang Si Niang laughed and patted Du Yunluo on the back, "It’s not that you can’t afford to lose, it’s me trying to flatter you, finding a way to stuff you with silver. Is that okay with you, my dear auntie?"
The house erupted in laughter as Jiang Si Niang apologized to Old Mrs. Xia and got up to leave.
Old Mrs. Xia was in high spirits, and she didn’t stop playing cards until the sky darkened.
In the Lianfu Garden, two more dishes were added, and Old Mrs. Xia insisted that Du Yunluo stay the night, not allowing her to return, asking her to sleep in the green gauze cabinet.
As the wedding day approached, Old Mrs. Xia found it increasingly difficult to part with her precious one.
But no matter how reluctant, time would pass in the blink of an eye.
On the fifteenth of February, two Mrs. Quanfu, who were to visit the Xia Family Hall, came to the mansion.
They were all relatives by marriage. Although Du Yunluo rarely visited the Xia Mansion, these two women would always come to pay respects to Old Mrs. Xia during festive occasions, so Du Yunluo recognized them.
The two women praised Du Yunluo profusely, and when the auspicious hour arrived, they happily headed to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
Du Yunluo was sitting at the edge of the Anhua Courtyard.
The familiar room had changed somewhat; the items on the curious rack and the calligraphy and paintings on the wall—to be moved to the Marquis Mansion—had already been packed, leaving the room rather empty.
Du Yunnuo accompanied her in her pre-wedding lament. She pursed her lips and sighed, "Now it’s just me accompanying you. When I get married, I’ll have to invite two sisters from the Xia Family or the Liao Family to cry for me."
This was the only option, and Du Yunluo shook her head helplessly.
"Speaking of the Xia Family," Du Yunnuo lowered her voice and whispered to Du Yunluo, "I heard on the way here that Aunt Fifth of the Xia Family requested Cailian be matched with her maid’s brother, and Second Sister-in-Law agreed. I find this matter a bit strange."
Du Yunluo understood immediately. This wasn’t Aunt Fifth of the Xia Family requesting, this was Xia Anxin finding an excuse to send Cailian away. Back at the Xia Family, whatever becomes of Cailian is entirely up to Xia Anxin’s word.
"What’s so strange about it? Second Sister-in-Law readily agreed, likely because Aunt Fifth of the Xia Family had asked before. It was probably already decided since the maid and servant are both from the Xia Family; perhaps Second Sister-in-Law was just reluctant to part with Cailian for a while," Du Yunluo said.
Du Yunnuo also found this reasoning sensible and didn’t focus on this maid, Cailian, any further.
Du Yunluo’s mind unavoidably drifted back to the events in the Flower Hall that day.
She was somewhat grateful that Lanzhi went to the Flower Hall that day.
Lanzhi was a reliable maid by Old Mrs. Xia’s side; Cailian dared not falsely accuse her, and even if she did, no one would believe it. If it were a small maid like Huizhu from before, and Cailian twisted the facts, who knows how chaotic things would have become.
Although Du Yunluo was not far away and could testify against Cailian, it would have blown up into a full-blown scandal instead of being resolved so smoothly as now.
Calm and steady, Xia Anxin minimized the damage.
"What are you thinking about?" Du Yunnuo nudged her, "The wedding day isn’t here yet, and your mind is already wandering."
Du Yunluo regained her senses and smiled lightly.
Mrs. Zhen lifted the curtain to enter, and Du Yunnuo stood up to take her leave.
Mrs. Zhen personally brought over a bowl of sweet soup, "I know you like it, so I had Nanny Zhao simmer it all afternoon."
Du Yunluo received a bowl of red bean soup, gently stirring with the spoon. The fine red bean paste surfaced, making the soup a bit cloudy, her vision blurring as well.
She slowly finished the sweet soup, placing the porcelain bowl aside.
Mrs. Zhen reached out to smooth Du Yunluo’s hair, her gaze tender as water, "My dear Nannan is finally getting married."
The words barely left her lips before Mrs. Zhen choked up herself.
Du Yunluo looked up at her, tears glistening on her lashes, and softly called out "Mother," before falling into Mrs. Zhen’s embrace.
She knew the purpose of Mrs. Zhen’s visit, to instruct her on the bridal chamber matters.
In her previous life, Mrs. Zhen had given similar instructions.
Du Yunluo, stubborn in her ways, refused to listen no matter what Mrs. Zhen said. Despite Mrs. Zhen’s coaxing and persuasion, she was ultimately left with no choice but to sternly warn her—not to marry.
But she still misbehaved; on her wedding day, she refused to dress up properly or get in the sedan chair.
She only complied when Mrs. Zhen threatened with her life.
Recalling Mrs. Zhen’s agony and tears at the time, Du Yunluo’s heart ached as if being twisted with a knife. She had been so thoughtless...
Mrs. Zhen, eyes reddened, held Du Yunluo tightly and said hoarsely, "Nannan is a good child. After you get married, you must honor the elders, serve the Old Madam and your mother-in-law, and don’t quarrel with the Princely Heir..."